By Audrey Anderson
Hometown Weekly Correspondent
On Saturday, April 29, at 11 a.m., the Town of Sherborn dedicated its renovated and expanded library. Positioned on the balcony of the main room, the Dover-Sherborn Regional School Band opened the program with a rousing “Star Spangled Banner.” Trustee Emeritus Bruce Eckman then began the program, explaining that the library was built for the youngest generations in the town, who will enjoy it for years to come. As well as offering books to its patrons, the library was designed to be a place to meet with friends, learn new things, and study.
Mary Ann Cluggish of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, Massachusetts State Senator Rebecca Rausch, Library Director Liz Anderson, Jeff Waldron, Chair of the Town of Sherborn Select Board, and Brian Connolly, the Chair of the Board of Library Trustees, each addressed the audience. They expressed their joy at the reopening of the library, thanked the many people who contributed, reviewed the renovation process and the hurdles that had to be overcome, and welcomed the audience to walk around to see the library’s features.
Once the remarks were completed, retired Library Director Elizabeth Johnston cut the red ribbon leading out of the main room. This act was followed by the enthusiastic applause of those gathered there and their exploration of the library, including a large children’s room with toys, books, video screens, computers, and bright seating. They also found comfortable study rooms, a conference room, a community room, and a relaxing patio in the trees.
The new study rooms can be reserved for personal use or small meetings. There is also space available for larger gatherings.
The comfortable interior of the library is filled with light. Large skylights and plenty of windows display the natural setting. The furnishings are bright, minimal, and modern in earth tones, except for some bright ones for the children. The balconies in the main room give the building an open and airy feeling.
Sherborn’s modern state-of-the-art library will delight people of all ages with digital offerings, books, a library of things, a makerspace, entertaining programs, museum passes, and places to meet for many years to come.
